FORMER education secretary Estelle Morris returned to Coventry to cut the cake at the 10th birthday of a Hillfields community centre.

Baroness Morris of Yardley was guest of honour at the St Peter’s Centre anniversary event on Friday, which attracted hundreds of centre users and dignitaries to the vibrant celebration.

The popular Charles Street venue is home to scores of community groups, many of which were represented on the day, such as People Point, the local branch of Age UK, The Asian Blind Association and national charities such as British Red Cross which use the centre as their base in the area.

Baroness Morris, who graduated from Coventry College of Education before teaching at Sidney Stringer School and becoming sixth form head, officially opened the centre 10 years ago and was invited back for the centre’s big day.

Addressing those their, she spoke fondly of Hillfields and how it has progressed over the years since she joined Sidney Stringer School in 1974.

She said: “When I was invited I was very surprised that 10 years had passed but so much has happened in those 10 years. The city is looking better than I have ever seen it.”

She went on to describe the centre as a focal point for the community “where people can get help and where people feel heard”.

Reflecting on the challenges the community has faced, she went on to add: “This is a building that has a good community and has stood the test of time.

“There is something about the spirit of Hillfields that makes me feel it will always get through the tough times.”

The centre was built next door to a church, which has now been converted into flats, out of demand for a purpose-built community centre.

It runs as a not-for-profit organisation and is open to people of all faiths.

Councillor George Duggins (Lab, Longford) said: “I was looking for a word that summed up St Peter’s and that word was ‘inclusively’.”

Joan Haywood, centre manager, said: “It was for the community of Hillfields that we offered this building and the Hillfields community is proud of this centre.”

She listed some of the groups that use the centre and the various roles it has played in the community, including as a place of refuge during the 2008 WWII bomb discovery and temporary class room for students after the devastating Sidney Stringer School blaze in 2007.

Free food was on offer and entertainment was provided by Sidney Stringer Academy students and local primary school children.